---
title: "Setting Up Your New Dell Monitors"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/26013826103/Setting%20Up%20Your%20New%20Dell%20Monitors"
format: markdown
---
This article explains how to set up your Dell monitors, connect them to your computer, and adjust display settings.
> ✅ To purchase these monitors, visit [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10895589476](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10895589476)
The monitors recommended by ITS have a Thunderbolt dock built into them, giving them more functionality than a regular monitor. These monitors replace the traditional stand-alone Thunderbolt docks that were previously used. These monitors have an internal USB hub and can "daisy chain" a signal to a second monitor. The following diagram will help to explain this functionality.
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## Video instructions
Laptop and dual monitor installation
### Laptop and dual monitor installation
> ⚠️ MacBook Air laptops that have the M1 or M2 chip do not support dual external monitors. You can only connect one external display to these laptops.
> ⚠️
> ⚠️ Newer MacBook Airs with the M3 or newer processor support dual external displays, but do not support daisy-chaining. You will have to connect a cable directly to each monitor from your MacBook.
1. Unbox and set up monitors
> Macro (iframe)
2. Connect the cables to the monitors
> Macro (iframe)
- 3. Connect and configure your laptop
> Macro (iframe)
Desktop and dual monitor installation
### Dell desktop and dual monitor installation
1. Unbox and set up monitors
> Macro (iframe)
2. Connect the cables to the monitors
> Macro (iframe)
3. Connect and configure your laptop
> Macro (iframe)
---
## Written instructions
### Part 1: Assembling the monitor
1. Connect the monitor stand into the two tabs of the monitor base.
2. Flip the base over and tighten the set screw until snug.
3. Place the two top tabs from the monitor stand into the holes at the back of the monitor until it clicks into place.
4. Repeat steps for your second monitor.
###
Part 2: Connecting your monitor cables
> ✅ If you need a refresher on connector types and names, see [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10894836055](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10894836055).
1. Rotate your primary monitor counterclockwise on its stand to access all the ports at the bottom of the monitor.
2. Plug in your video input cable into the monitor.
1. Laptop: Plug a **USB-C** cable into the **USB-C/Thunderbolt in **port** ***(5 in the figure below).*
2. Desktop: Plug a **DisplayPort** cable into **DisplayPort in **port *(3 in the figure below)*.
3. Remove the silicone cover from the **DisplayPort out **port *(4 in the figure below)* and plug a **DisplayPort **cable into this port. Plug the other end of this **DisplayPort** cable into the **DisplayPort in** port *(3 in the figure below)* on your **second monitor**.
1. This will create the "daisy chain" setup shown in the diagram at the top of this guide.
4. Plug an **IECC** **power cord** into both of your monitors* (1 in the figure below)*.
### Part 3: Configure the monitors for your computer
Follow the instructions for your device.
Dell laptop
> ✅ You may close your laptop with this setup. See [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10795452360](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10795452360) to configure your laptop to stay awake while plugged in.
1. Log in to your laptop with your UConn email credentials.
2. Power on each monitor.
1. The power button is located at the bottom right of the monitor.
2. On the monitor, you may be prompted for the USB-C charging option. Using the directional buttons at the bottom of the monitor, choose **Yes**.
3. Plug the **USB-C** cable coming from your primary monitor into a **Thunderbolt **port** **on your laptop. This port may have a lightning bolt icon.
4. To ensure the daisy chain works, check that Multiple-Stream Transport (MST) is enabled on the primary monitor.
1. Using the physical buttons at the bottom right of the monitor, open the monitor's menu.
2. Navigate to the **display **option.
3. Navigate to **MST**, and choose **On**.
5. On your computer, open the **Settings **app and navigate to **System → Display**
6. If not already selected in the top dropdown menu, select **Extend these displays**.
7. If needed, drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their physical layout on your desktop.
> ✅ ### Troubleshooting
> ✅
> ✅ If you have issues seeing an image on the monitors, be sure to check:
> ✅
> ✅ 1. Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, **Enable** **DisplayPort 1.2** on your primary monitor.
> ✅ 2. Ensure that the **last monitor** in the chain has DisplayPort 1.2 mode **Disabled**.
> ✅ 3. Use the DisplayPort cables that came with your monitor(s).
Dell desktop
1. Ensure that your PC has power by plugging in its power supply** ***(15 in the figure below).*
2. Plug the **DisplayPort** cable coming from your primary monitor into a **DisplayPort** port *(14 in the figure below) *on the back of your desktop PC.
3. Plug your mouse, keyboard, and accessories into **USB **ports *(9 and 10 in the figure below)* on the back of your PC.
4. Power on each monitor.
1. The power button is located at the bottom right of the monitor.
2. On the monitor, you may be prompted for the USB-C charging option. Using the directional buttons at the bottom of the monitor, choose **Yes**.
5. To ensure the daisy chain works, check that **Multiple-Stream Transport (MST)** is enabled on the primary monitor.
1. Using the physical buttons at the bottom right of the monitor, open the monitor's **menu**.
2. Navigate to the **Display **option.
3. Navigate to **MST,** and choose **On.**
6. Log onto your computer with your UConn email credentials.
7. On your computer, open the **Settings **app and navigate to **System → Display**
8. If not already selected in the top dropdown menu, select **Extend these displays**.
9. If needed, drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their physical layout on your desktop.
> ℹ️ > Macro (inline-media-image)
> ℹ️
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ **Ports & slots:**
> ℹ️ 1. Power button | 2. Universal audio jack | 3. Line out | 4. USB-C | 5. USB-A (with PowerShare) | 6. Wireless antenna slots | 7. Optional expansion slot | 8. Ethernet | 9. USB-A | 10. USB-A | 11. Cable clip | 12. Thumb screw | 13. Kensington lock slot | 14. DisplayPort | 15. Power connection (DC-in)
> ✅ ### Troubleshooting
> ✅
> ✅ If you have issues seeing an image on the monitors, be sure to check:
> ✅
> ✅ 1. Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, **Enable** **DisplayPort 1.2** on your primary monitor.
> ✅ 2. Ensure that the **last monitor** in the chain has DisplayPort 1.2 mode **Disabled**.
> ✅ 3. Use the DisplayPort cables that came with your monitor(s).
Apple laptop
> ✅ You may close your laptop with this setup. See [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10795452360](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10795452360) to configure your laptop to stay awake while plugged in.
> ℹ️ Macs with the base M1 or M2 chips only support 1 external display. The Pro, Ultra, and Max variants as well as the newer generations (M3, M4, etc.) support multiple external displays.
> ⚠️ Macs do not support daisy chaining using the Dell MST technology. If you are using multiple displays for your Mac, you will need to connect them both directly to your computer using two USB-C cables, or a USB-C and an HDMI connection.
1. Log in to your laptop with your UConn email credentials.
2. Power on each monitor.
1. The power button is located at the bottom right of the monitor.
3. Plug the **USB-C** cable coming from your primary monitor into a **Thunderbolt **port** **on your laptop.
1. On the monitor, you may be prompted for the USB-C charging option. Using the directional buttons at the bottom of the monitor, choose **Yes**.
4. If your Mac has an HDMI port, plug in the second monitor using an **HDMI** cable. Otherwise, connect it using a **USB-C** cable.
5. On your computer, open the **System Settings **app and navigate to **Displays**.
6. If not already selected in the “Use as” dropdown menu, select **Extended display**.
7. If needed, you can rearrange the virtual arrangement of the two monitors to match the physical arrangement. Select **Arrange… **and drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their physical layout on your desktop.
Apple desktop
> ℹ️ The 2021 iMac with the M1 chip only supports one external display.
> ⚠️ Macs do not support daisy chaining using the Dell MST technology. If you are using multiple displays for your Mac, you will need to connect them both directly to your computer using two USB-C cables, or a USB-C and an HDMI connection.
1. Power on each monitor.
1. The power button is located at the bottom right of the monitor.
2. Plug the **USB-C** cable coming from your primary monitor into a **Thunderbolt **port** **on your desktop. This port should have a lightning bolt symbol above or below it.
1. On the monitor, you may be prompted for the USB-C charging option. Using the directional buttons at the bottom of the monitor, choose **Yes**. This will not power your Mac, but it will charge a laptop if you use one later on.
3. If your Mac has an HDMI port, plug in the second monitor using an **HDMI** cable. Otherwise, connect it using a **USB-C** cable.
4. Log in to your desktop with your UConn email credentials.
5. On your computer, open the **System Settings **app and navigate to **Displays**
6. If not already selected in the “Use as” dropdown menu, select **Extended display**.
7. If needed, you can rearrange the virtual arrangement of the two monitors to match the physical arrangement. Select **Arrange… **and drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their physical layout on your desktop.
If you have followed all the steps in this guide but still require assistance, please contact the Technology Support Center at [techsupport@uconn.edu](mailto:techsupport@uconn.edu) or your department’s distributed IT support.
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